Because of you, Thomas, and Julian (OH8STN), I’ve just bought an ICOM IC-705 from HRO. Just wanted to thank-you, and say that I’m going back through your videos and your blogs for my inspiration. I’m going deaf, nearly there, and will be doing digital when I get my licenses. Again, Sir, many thanks…

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

You've chosen the best portable radio on the market for digital modes. VEry well done! The IC-705 will serve you well!

@c.f.leffen2929

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL Thank-You, Sir! All the Best to You and Yours!

I did my first POTA activation in the Chicago area a month ago using my G90 into a ham stick mounted on a music stand tripod. I had a few hunks of wire from an old dipole lying around, so I used them as radials, two @ 33’ and two at 16’. I started on 20M SSB @ 20W and worked Saskatchewan, TX, GA, and even the North Pole before I switched to the 40M stick. In total, I worked 48 stations in around two hours. Don’t underestimate the capabilities of a modest antenna.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Well done, Steve! You're right--sometimes it blows my mind how effective modest antennas can perform. Thank you!

Mostly Everyone: "Geeze i hate Mondays" Me: "Monday means more POTA videos to binge"

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

:)

@duncanxander5694

2 жыл бұрын

You all probably dont care but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the account password. I love any assistance you can give me

@nasiremmanuel2388

2 жыл бұрын

@Duncan Xander instablaster :)

Thomas, the counterpoise is a part of the antenna(system), so it has to be attached at the feedpoint of the AX1 as this is the radiator. 73 de Wolf, oe7ftj

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Wolf--yes I agree. It's funny, though. I'm so used to connecting the counterpoise to the chassis of my KX3 and KX2, it's a little strange to connect it to the base of the antenna on the tripod mount--but it makes complete sense, of course. Thanks & 73, Thomas K4SWL

As always, Thank you. I purchased the Elecraft T1 tuner to go along with and to pair the 705 and the Elecraft antenna. Got the kit, assembled it, actually read the instructions, tried to tune and the T1 didn't make a sound. Of course, the option of incorrect assembly loomed overhead. Elecraft prints excellent instructions for assembly and operation, so, I was sure it was my un-handy work. One more trick in my bag, as you say . . . Quickly I pulled up your video. Tried again, and it tuned! Your instructions were clearer than what I had read in the instructions. Your videos help many people in many ways. Please keep up the good work.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you sorted out your T1, my friend. You'll find that it's an amazing companion on all of your radio adventures. I value it over my other ATUs because it's so versatile, so capable and so compact. It has never let me down. Although you won't need one for a few months, always keep a new 9V battery in your pack just in case. Also, try to protect the front panel buttons while packed to save the battery. If you have a 3D printer, consider making one of these: www.thingiverse.com/thing:4627279 Thanks for the kind comments, Bill. Cheers, Thomas

Real time is pleasantly relaxing ... it after all is how we live

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

So true! :)

I like the longer videos

Great video Thomas glad to see cw on KZread on the bands.73 es keep up the Great videos

Love your videos Thomas, I've been watching for quite a while now and I really want to get out in the field and try it out for myself :)

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

You can do it! Just a warning that field radio is incredibly addictive. :)

Interesting series of videos Thomas, I've experimented with 2 elevated tuned radials and it improves the antenna. lowers SWR and increases the efficiency. However using electric fence type posts they are light and easy to deploy but its something else to carry. Experiment in your garden using an antenna analyser and you should see the difference. Just a thought as you have a great relaxed approach to working outdoors which is quite infectious :-)

It's important to use an analyzer to get these antennas to minimum vswr. A combination of whip length and counterpoise length to tune. If you have to use a tuner you are not radiating as efficiently as possible

Guess I’ll say it again, I dig these vids. Thx.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

TU OM! :)

Worked AK on 20 with that antenna, nice. I worked Japan and Galapagos Is. on 20 SSB with a ham stick clamped to a rusty fence post with a 100 watt rig.

Sorry if I missed it, but the 40m coil comes with a longer counterpoise, and I've found that it's quite necessary to use that one rather than the shorter one when using the AX1 on 40m. Thanks for another great video!

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

I've found the same. Even on the ground, it seems to want that longer counterpoise.

Glad to be your tenth contact, tough conditions IIRC! Enjoy your videos! 73, KB0VXN

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Happy to put you in the logs, too! 73! Thomas K4SWL

Really like your videos the flow is good. Would love to see more of your face though. Cheers

Thanks for the fun!

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

On these short verticals (HMJ-350M, buddistick, etc) I find that the counter poise on the ground won’t tune or signal doesn’t get out. I keep it about 3 ft off the ground and that helps immensely. Much harder to do though and gets in the way.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Raised verticals are certainly a better option but it can take a wee bit longer to find the right length for a good match. I have done this many times before, though. Good point!

Great Video Tom! Love that you got your daughter involved! That is so cool!! Going to get one of those T1 tuners myself for some other QRP radio's I planning to get! I did a video of my WFD activity and tried to do it unscripted and unedited...fun stuff! 73 de n1one

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant, Bill! And you'll love the T1--it's a gem of an ATU. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

Whew! Got that last contact!

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

I know! Always a good feeling. :)

im Cw all the time , I love the mode

No problem. An honest KZreadr would do exactly what you are doing.

You got to get over your hatred of tuning up. Its part of the work that must be done. Fantastic videos by the way. Love them! Keep them coming! I will say when I was running legal limit I would tune my amplifier into a big oil can dummy load - then having already tuned my antenna - put my amp on air. No one ever heard a single 1500 watt peep form me. Of course this has nothing to to with QRP and your setup hah

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Right on. That's a great practice. :) And 5 W vs 1500 W? Yep, there's a difference there for sure! :)

Great stuff.

It would be really interesting to see the two tuners fight it out a few more times with challenging antenna. 73 M7PWA

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

I'll put this in my ideas list. Perhaps I could tinker with random wires without a balun. 73, Thomas

Thanks for the video! I would think the counterpoise/radial should be attached at the antenna feedpoint, not to the radio itself if you are using a coax feedline. The radio "ground" is a grounding point for static/lightning protection.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, you're correct. I just had a momentarily lapse there as I'm *so* used to connecting the antenna directly to the KX2 or KX3. :)

@JonFlyTV

2 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL According the the Elecraft AX2 manual... • ATTACH AT LEAST ONE COUNTERPOISE WIRE (or radial) to your transceiver’s ground screw. Otherwise, your transmit signal will be as much as 20 dB weaker (4 to 5 S-units). ...... so Im confused why the ground screw on the 705 would not work.

at 12:56 in You stated Antenna on 20 meter position tuning on 40 meter band might be a problem. Love your videos Dana WI3B

@haiduc32

3 жыл бұрын

AX1 antenna with the 40m extender you need to set it to 20m position.

Nice series of videos. I like your activation of various parks in NC. I subscribed. What I do notice is that you don't use iambic keying very often - usually just for the C in CQ. I also noticed that you didn't slow down for an op that came back at a slower speed. Is it difficult to quickly access the speed control when using the internal iambic keyer of the IC-705? Darn nice radio though. Very tempting. My other observation is that I find it difficult to copy those ops who have the really fast dits and slooww dahs. I guess they are bug users.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

I was just replying to another comment that I always intend to slow down for slower ops--often, I just tryin increasing the spacing between characters rather than adjusting the keying speed. Problem is, when I'm in CW mode in my head, sometime I quite literally don't notice the speed. Keep in mind, too, that POTA and SOTA exchanges are very formulaic. Even if an op can't send quickly, they likely get 100% copy because they already know what to expect: their call and a signal report then 73 and "dit dit". Still, I mean to slow down. :) It's not terribly difficult to adjust the speed on the IC-705. I do have some transceivers that make the process more cumbersome (the FT-817 & IC-706 come to mind. Also, it's true. I don't really do Iambic keying often. It's funny actually: I used to do it more often when I had less radios. Now, I routinely change out radios each time I hit the field. I find that when I use Iambic keying, I make more mistakes. I think this has to do with subtle keying differences in the radios. Not sure. :)

Hi Thomas terrific video good job Sr thanks 73 from kb2uew

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

I wonder if you get out better in the direction that your counterpoise is pointing. It's kind of like a single radial and radials do give you a lower take off angle from a vertical.

Hi ,,, great video... I reprogrammed my down button on the 705 hand mic to mode,,, i can change mode quickly to am or fm to acquire a carrier for the T1.. then quickly change it back to cw,,,, works perfect... I also put a tablet screen protector on the display of the 705, 73 Mike VE3MKX

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant suggestions, Mike! Do you have a link to the screen protector you use? 73, Thomas K4SWL

@mikemkx4598

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL hi,,,, any office supply store will have them... look for the discontinued models... you should get them for a couple bucks...then cut to size !

@mikemkx4598

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL I even use the screen protector on the Elecraft gear ! prevents any out in the field damage ,,,73 Mike

@11:30 You can't ask if anyone is on frequency until your antenna is tuned, otherwise you will be TX with bad SWR.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Very true. I have been known to ask "QRL?" even getting a high SWR back. At low output power, I reckon I don't worry too much (even though no one is likely hearing me!).

Incredible video Thomas. Will the elecraft amp work with the 705?

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Yes it will! In fact, check out AE5X's blog series about this. He used one of the Elecraft Amps with his IC-705 in a recent CW contest: ae5x.blogspot.com/2021/02/arrl-dx-contest-cw-with-ic-705-kpa-500.html I've yet to pair the IC-705 with my KXPA100, but I know there shouldn't be a problem.

I watched the video throughout my work day today. Did you update the firmware on your IC 705? I disabled the CW/Phone from automatically tuning the radio. And, there are shortcuts, so the BK-In key now is set when I touch it to hit the tuner instead of doing what I mentioned or going to the Function Key page 2 and doing the tuning. I'll explain better in message if you want. 73 and thanks. KN3A.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I did update the firmware to the latest version. I also would like to disable tuning from CW/SSB--thanks for the tip. So it sounds like you assigned tuning to the front panel key. That's a great idea! I just need to set this up before I head to the field next time! :) Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

I wonder if you would get more ERP by placing the tuner on the other side of the feed line, near the antenna/tripod. Maybe use a velcro strap to mount the ATU on the tripod?

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely! I might try that next time.

Hi Thomas, as Elecraft (elecraft.com/products/axe1_40-meter-antenna-extender) states the 40m bandwidth will be ultra small, due to the very short 1.15m whip and huge, high Q base loading coil. Better throw a 1/4 wave wire (~10m) in the trees and attach one or two radials. Just as light and I bet on at least 15 dB of gain compared to that tiny AX-1 thing ... Good luck with your WFF endeavours.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Enno!

Look up the cap hat mod for that antenna. Super flat swr with that. No tuner needed.

@ThomasK4SWL

11 ай бұрын

Actually, I did this: qrper.com/2021/12/field-report-beautiful-weather-and-three-parks-on-the-outer-banks-of-north-carolina/ You're right. Works brilliantly!

Hi Thomas, does the C-ruck have any straps on the side to attach and carry the mpas mil whip 2.0? Or perhaps another backpack you use? Thanks?

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

The C-ruck has attachment points between the side pockets and front pocket, but they're oriented for horizontal rather than vertical attachment. I'm been thinking through a way to attach the whip to these points. I know it can be done. I'll dig into this further.

hello and thanks for the cool video! is the antenna tuner any good you used at first in the video? was thinking about getting one since it is much cheaper than the original icom one.

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

The mAT-705 Plus is a good ATU for the IC-705, although I'll admit I'm a bigger fan of the Elecraft T1.

@pipiaakotze

2 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL thanks for the reply! you talked about non existent magnetic latching relays in the mAT 705 under another comment. thats not true, the mAT 705 is using Magnetic latching relays as you can read in its manual.

This makes me want to learn CW. Can you tell me about the keyer you are using?

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

The key is a CW Morse Pocket Paddle. I highly recommend it!

Where did you buy your line through line and bag ? Great video’s.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

This is the one I use for my AX1: amzn.to/3jfTL9G It's a Maxpedition and is an overall great pouch. I've two of them. Can you explain the "line through line"? Happy to help. Cheers, Thomas

anyone has a good link comparing the mat-705+ and T1? since T1 is so good, what are the trade-offs?

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Radu, You might check out this recent post I made--I tried to speak to the benefits of both units: qrper.com/2021/01/choosing-the-best-icom-ic-705-portable-external-antenna-atu/ Cheers, Thomas

I have been watching most of your videos and I would want to ask if what is a good field radio where I wouldn't be breaking the bank, very much interested with field radios

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Very good question. So one of the radios I've recently purchased myself is the Xiegu X5105. It's an excellent little field radio--not as refined as the Elecraft KX2 or KX3, but a very good radio. I've already published a couple of videos using it. (In fact, the next video will include it!). They're $550. I also like the Yaesu FT-818. You might check both of those out!

I'm kind of surprised the mAT-705 did not find a match because it has a much wider advertised range. mAT-705 : 5 to 1500 ohms T-1 : 10 to 1 SWR range which, I think, would be 5 to 500 ohms Then the AH-705 ICOM only lists wire lengths but no SWR or impedance range. I find this kind of befuddling because I'm in the market for a compact match box for my 705 and I don't know which of the three night be best for me.

@ThomasK4SWL

Жыл бұрын

So far, there have been three instances where the T1 outperformed the mAT tuner and my internal Xiegu ATUs in terms of finding a match. This is from field use, not on a lab bench, though. Results may vary.

I know that the antenna bag is a Maxpedition, but I am unsure which model you are using. Enjoying your videos very much. Thank you. Bob W4ZY

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Bob, This is the Maxpedition model I use for my AX1: amzn.to/3jfTL9G Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

@bobscott7049

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL Thank you. Bob W4ZY

Always at the antenna for cp.

I thought the AX1 was a resonant antenna? Adding a 4m or longer counterpoise on the antenna's earthy side.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

It's resonant on 20M I believe. I keep forgetting that in the field and need to take the ATU out of the chain. On 40, it needs an ATU.

How long do you find that the 9V battery lasts in the T1?

@ThomasK4SWL

Жыл бұрын

AGES! You know, I've carried a spare 9V in my pack now for almost two years. Still haven't used it and, in fact, I'm wondering if it'll technically expire before the T1 needs it replaced! Ha ha!

Why did you put 1700 as your time when the radio time seems to be set to UTC?And why not start on the SSB portion of the band as you heard traffic there? Why hope for CW contacts when you would have had guaranteed SSB contacts? By the way I expect CW (which I never use ) to get through. But the real test of the antenna would have been SSB. 73 de N2LRB

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

There's an upcoming video where I use SSB with the AX1. The time on my IC-705 is not accurate. I never run the GPS to milk the battery for more time. Why did I use CW? Honestly, it's because I'm enamored with the mode. I only started using it last summer and I just get a thrill out of it. I still use (and admire) SSB, but I have fallen down the CW rabbit hole for sure.

👍

What was that code you sent at 15 min??

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Douglas, That was "QRL?" which is the equivalent of asking if the frequency is in use on phone.

@PartisanPapa

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL thank you!!!

all the people that you are receiving are sending at a much slower speed than you are. I thought it was common courtesy to slow your speed down to match what is being sent to you ?

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Good point. So it would be difficult to adjust speed with every contact during a field action. Most activators settle for a reasonable speed that they're comfortable both sending and receiving. For me, it tends to be somewhere around 17-20 WPM. Most of my radios are set to 18 or 19 WPM. I've heard some operators push 25-30WPM or higher, but most don't because it might eliminate people who would otherwise work you. Keep in mind that SOTA and POTA contacts are quite different from, say, a good ragchew. The exchanges are *very* formulaic. A chaser only needs to understand their own callsign, and when to send their signal report and/or other details. If I can tell that a CW chaser is new and going very slowly, I'll QRS (slow down) to a much lower WPM. I'll also do this if they request me to QRS--always. With some radios, it can be cumbersome to slow down the actual WPM (I'm thinking of the X5105 for one), so I'll slow down the spacing between characters to help. But in SOTA/WWFF/POTA exchanges, the speed difference is usually not a factor. Most of us activators and chasers are essentially on "auto pilot." :)

ABR cable??

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

YES! I love that company! Just bought a few more ABR-316 assemblies from them.

I thought you were in a hurry. Tour time frame sure wasn't QRP!

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

I was 25 minutes late for my curbside appointment, too. It was worth it. :)

Hi Tom enjoy your Pota Videos .73/72 Kurt HS0ZBS

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍